Upcycled Metal Washer Bookmark

Upcycled Metal Washer Bookmark

I created my bookmark after being inspired by Salvage Sister and Mister to participate in the monthly Upcycle Sharin’ Challenge. This month’s theme was hardware. I read a lot, and had seen bookmarks with weighted charms like beads, buttons, and metal washers, so knew I wanted to make an Upcycled Metal Washer Bookmark. I hit the motherlode when I found a greasy bag of bolts and washers in my hubby’s junk stash.

I’d seen paper bookmarks with charms like tassels and metal washers, but I’d never seen a sewn one, so I decided to use fabric for my bookmark. I’ve been gifted with fabric bookmarks before, but found them to be flimsy, so I decided to add some poster board. Something stronger like plastic canvas might work even better. I was so happy with the finished product! Reading accessories just make my heart sing.

Materials Needed:

• sewing macine and basic sewing supplies
• poster board (plastic canvas, or something sturdier would be even better)
• metal washer
• thin ribbon, if your washer is small
• buttons
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• scissors, or a paper cutter

Instructions:

Cut the poster board 7″ long by 1.5″ wide. I used my scrapbooking paper cutter. The poster board was left over from another one of my other upcycling ventures; Upcycled Project Caddy.

I used the flap to the flannel bag that contained my childrens’ striped flannel sheets from Target. It already had finished seams on the top and bottom. My 7″ bookmark fit perfectly between those seams.

Insert the bookmark and fold the fabric over it once, then cut.

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Now it’s time to use that hardware! Loop the ribbon around the washer as pictured, then plug in that glue gun.

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Place a dab of hot glue in the center top of the bookmark. Attach the ribbon. Don’t touch the hot glue with your bare fingers. You’re going to sew the ribbon into the bookmark, but gluing it now will asure that it stays in place.

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Time to sew! Fold the seam on the back of the bookmark under, then pin. Turn the bookmark over and make sure the front still looks good. I didn’t want my horizontal stripes to be slanted.

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Sew the ends of the bookmark. I used a zig-zag stitch, and went over it twice.

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Hand-sew the seam on the back of your bookmark. I used a simple whip-stitch.

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• Hot glue the buttons along the top. I used a pencil to press the buttons into the hot glue. Mine is high-temp and will blister your fingers, so I was very careful not to touch the hot glue directly.

Your bookmark is complete! The metal washers add a nice weighted touch that will help you find your place easily.

Happy Reading!

Kristie

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